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To: reg.burma@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 11:03:30 +0000
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ASIAN AGE NEWS PAPER
HEADLINE : THAILAND, BURMA TAKE FIRST STEP TO BETTER TIES
DATE : 20 March, 1996.
By Robert Birsel
Bangkok, March 19: Thailand and Burma hailed a new chapter in their rocky relations following
a visit to Rangoon by the Thai Prime Minister but analystssaid on Tuesday more time and effort was 
needed to dispel years of mutual mistrust.
Thai Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa was given a warm welcome when he arrived in the Burmese capital
on Sunday, becoming the first Thai Prime Minister to visit Rangoon in 16 years. Relations between the 
two have been chilly for some time, largely because of Burmese suspicion of lingering Thai support for 
rebel armies battling the Rangoon military government.
A perception in Burma that Thai business is driven solely by the desire for fast profit has also soured 
ties, diplomats in Rangoon and Bangkok said.
Last year, an angry Burma shut its border crossing points with Thailand, cutting off virtually all trade
between the neighbours.
Analysts said Mr Banharn's visit followed a long campaign by Thailand to get relations back on an even 
keel and ensure that Thailand does not miss out on investment opportunities as Burma opens up to business 
after decades of isolation.
While Mr Banharn returned home late on Monday with little in the way of concrete agreements, Burma responded 
positively to the visit, which the diplomats said was at least a first step to better ties.
"He got his piece of paper," said one diplomat in Rangoon, referring to the only agreement signed during the 
visit, which sets out guide lines for border trade.
"Relations have been rocky, that's an understatement, and this visit hopefully marks a fresh start, but it 
seems the Burmese want to rebase it on their terms," he said.
"The Burmese have been slow to respond to Thai attempts to settle grievances," said another diplomat in Rangoon.
"A positive start has been made but there's a way to go yet."
On the eve of Mr. Banharn's trip, Burma reopened two crossing points on the border with Thailand, one in Burma's 
northeast and the other in its deep south.
But the main trade crossing point, between the Burmese twon of Myawadi and the northwestern Thai town of Mae Sot 
remained sealed because of a border dispute in the area. As well as the border trade agreement, Burma promised to 
release 100 Thai prisoners, most them fishermen jailed for intruding into Burmese waters, a Thai official said.
"So much hype for so very little," was how one diplomat in Bangkok summed up the result of the visit. (Reuter)